Summer in Western Montana has it all—warm temperatures, long daylight hours, impossibly blue skies and spectacular sunsets are just some of what makes it so magical. Another reason summer is a favorite around here is our events lineup of rodeos, concerts, pow wows, festivals, car shows and more. We’ve rounded up some of our best summer events to add to your Glacier Country itinerary in 2024.
CONCERTS + MUSIC EVENTS
It’s not hard to find live music anywhere in the region. Visit the KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner, which sits along the banks of the beautiful Blackfoot River and offers a summer concert schedule many bigger cities would be envious of; head to Big Sky Brewing Co. which hosts a handful of concerts each summer in a big backyard-like setting; experience live tunes on the shores of Lake Koocanusa at Abayance Bay Marina; check out the Wachholz College Center in Kalispell for a variety of live performances; and enjoy the unique outdoor concert experience at Camp Scout + Gather. Be sure to check each of their websites for a list of shows.
More Music:
Festival Amadeus, Kalispell, June 21 – 22
Under the Big Sky Festival, Whitefish, July 12 – 14
Hard Times Bluegrass Festival, Hamilton, July 26 – 28
Riverfront Blues Festival, Libby, Aug. 9 – 10
Symphony in the Park, Missoula, Aug. 11
Whitefish Trail Hootenanny, Aug. 23
River City Roots Festival, Missoula, Sept. 6 – 7
Explore the weekly concerts that round out Glacier Country’s summer music scene. In Kalispell, catch Picnic in the Park on Tuesday evenings with live music and local food vendors. On Wednesdays, listen to the Missoula City Band play in Bonner Park, or spend your Sundays in Bigfork for the Riverbend Concerts. During lunch on Tuesdays in Hamilton, stretch out on the Ravalli Country Museum lawn for Tuesday at Twelve. Or pair delicious food and great music at Missoula’s Caras Park on Wednesdays at Out to Lunch and Thursdays at Downtown ToNight. Catch live music almost any night of the week at Home Ranch Bottoms, and don’t miss the lineup of three-day shows at the Whitefish Summer Concert Series.
AMERICAN INDIAN CELEBRATIONS
In Babb, visit Chewing Black Bones Campground on the Blackfeet Reservation for the 4th of July Veterans Powwow, featuring traditional dance and activities, foods vendors and local art vendors, as well as the Extreme Warrior Race—a five category endurance obstacle race—and a spectacular fireworks display. This event honors veterans of all the armed forces, including first responders.
In Browning, also on the Blackfeet Reservation, experience one of the largest gatherings of North American tribes during the North American Indian Days July 5 – 13. Events include a pow wow, parade, traditional and fancy dancing, drumming, customary stick games and a rodeo with the spectator-favorite Indian Relay.
Join the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation at the annual Standing Arrow Pow Wow in Elmo July 18 – 21. Dancers, drummers, vendors and visitors come from far and wide for this traditional event. Also on the Flathead Reservation, attend the Arlee Espapqeyni Powwow Celebration annual ceremonial gathering July 1 – July 7. The event includes traditional dancing, drumming and dress.
Each pow wow is unique to the Tribal Nation holding it and offers a glimpse into the diverse cultures of American Indian tribes in Western Montana. While attending a pow wow in Montana it’s important to be respectful. Please read more here.
FOURTH OF JULY
Experience a good, old-fashioned Fourth of July event, just the kind of small-town Americana celebration this holiday calls for. Enjoy parades, fireworks and other Independence Day festivities in communities throughout the region.
Fourth of July Parade | Bigfork – Montana
Troy’s Old Fashioned 4th of July
Old Fashioned 4th at the Fort Celebration, Missoula
4th of July Veterans Powwow, Babb
Glacier Symphony Night at Rebecca Farm: An American Salute, Kalispell, July 5 + 6
RODEOS + FAIRS
Many of our communities host rodeos beginning in spring and continuing through fall. Experience an authentic western tradition, paying homage to our heritage with events based on the duties of working cowboys and cowgirls. Sometimes rodeos coincide with a local fair—think fun rides, livestock shows, carnival games and delicious fair food.
Brash Summer Series Rodeo, Columbia Falls, June 20, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25, 26;
Aug. 1, 15, 22, 29; Sept. 7
Darby Rodeo, July 5 – 6, Aug. 16 – 17, Sept. 13 – 14
Bigfork Montana Rodeo, July 5 – 8
The Eureka Rodeo, July 26 – 27, Aug. 24
Kootenai River Stampede Rodeo, Libby, July 26 – 27
Western Montana Fair + Stampede Rodeo, Missoula, Aug. 6 – 11
Northwest Montana Fair + Rodeo, Kalispell, Aug. 13 – 18
Ravalli County Fair + Rockin’ RC NRA Rodeo, Hamilton, Aug. 28 – 31
Sanders County Fair and PRCA Rodeo, Plains, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1
NOT-TO-BE-MISSED EVENTS
Western Montana boasts an abundance of festivals, which are a much-anticipated tradition around here. Check out the Flathead Cherry Festival in Polson, the Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek, and more.
Missoula Summer MADE Fair, June 23
A modern handcrafted open-air market with 160+ artists selling unique creations.
Missoula Marathon, June 28 – 30
A marathon, half marathon, 5k races, kids marathon, and beer run.
Whitefish Woody Weekend XII, June 28 – 30
An antique and classic boat show.
Glacier Half Marathon, Browning, June 29
A half marathon near Glacier National Park.
Hockaday Museum’s Arts in the Park, Kalispell, July 12 – 14
An arts, crafts and music festival.
The Event at Rebecca Farm, Kalispell, July 17 – 21
One of the largest equine triathlons in North America.
Good Old Days, St. Ignatius, July 19 – 20
A hometown celebration with fun and games, live music, a parade and more.
Loon and Fish Festival, Seeley Lake, July 19 – 21
A community art show and sale.
Columbia Falls Heritage Days, July 24 – 28
A celebration of Columbia Falls history, including a car show, fun run, music, barbecue and more.
Lewis and Clark Festival, Cut Bank, July 25 – 28
A community celebration with food, fun and more.
Bitterroot Brew Fest, Hamilton, July 27
A celebration of local brews, food and music in a historic setting.
Flathead Cherry Festival, Polson, July 27 – 28
A festival of all things “cherry” including artists, unique vendors and freshly baked treats.
Ronan Pioneer Days, Aug. 2 – 4
A community celebration with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, 5k and 10k runs, a kiddie rodeo, parade, sports, and more.
Bigfork Festival of the Arts, Aug. 3 – 4
A fine selection of art from nationally and internationally recognized artists, plus crafts, food and music.
Huckleberry Days Arts Festival, Whitefish, Aug. 9 – 11
A festival of fine arts, food, huckleberry treats, fun runs and more.
Great Bear Festival, Kalispell, Aug. 10
A sampling of local and regional beers, hard ciders, sparkling waters and wines.
Huckleberry Festival, Trout Creek, Aug. 10 – 11
A festival featuring arts, crafts, and all things huckleberry.
Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering, Hamilton, Aug. 17 – 18
A gathering to educate, celebrate and promote the Celtic heritage of the Bitterroot Valley.
Rumble in the Bay Car Show, Bigfork, Aug. 31 – Sept. 1
A car show featuring food, entertainment, a poker walk, 50/50 split the pot and more.
Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship, Libby, Sept. 5 – 8
A competition of the world’s finest chainsaw artists.
Flathead Celtic Festival, Kalispell, Sept. 13 – 14
A celebration of the music, dance, history, ancestry, language, food, crafts and athletics of Celtic culture.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents Recreate Responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
June 17, 2024
Related: American Indian, Arlee, Babb, Bigfork, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Blackfeet Nation, Bonner, Browning, Columbia Falls, Concerts/Music Festivals, Cut Bank, Elmo, Eureka, Events, Flathead Indian Reservation, Hamilton, Hot Springs (town), Kalispell, Libby, Missoula, Montana, Plains, Polebridge, Polson, Rexford, Rodeos, Ronan, Seeley Lake, St. Ignatius, Trout Creek, Troy, Vacation, Whitefish
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